New freshmen and transfer students at SJC Brooklyn filed into The Hill Center gymnasium Sept. 16, donning cap and gowns for St. Joseph’s investiture ceremony — a 104-year-old College tradition.
From left: Seniors Amarfi Collado, Gabriella Fielding and Rebecca De Rosa.
Investiture marks the first academic event of the year for the freshman class, and is an opportunity for family members and loved ones to see their children make the leap to college life.
Some freshmen noted that the ceremony felt a lot like commencement — and that was exactly the point.
St. Joseph’s President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., said investiture is a preview of what graduation will look like for the Class of 2023.
“They are going to look this way — older and wiser — but they are going to walk across that stage, and they are going to receive their diplomas, and you’re going to have a wonderful day,” said Dr. Boomgaarden, addressing the parents and families in attendance. “And afterwards, these young people are going to have incredible lives.”
He continued: “Cherish this moment, this moment of seeing them in their robes. It’s an investment, preparing for the future.”
In addition to Dr. Boomgaarden, students heard words of encouragement from Raymond D’Angelo, Ph.D., interim executive dean; Jaime Vacca-Hoefner, M.S.Ed., executive director of student life; Robert Riley, Ph.D., provost; and Sister Marie Mackey, C.S.J., M.S., M.A., director of campus ministry.
Investiture Marks New Beginnings
Freshmen Arian Durovic and Shamyr Boursiquot said they enjoyed the investiture ceremony and their first couple of weeks at St. Joseph’s. The self-proclaimed best friends graduated from St. John’s Preparatory School, a Roman Catholic high school in Astoria, Queens, and are continuing their academic journeys together at SJC Brooklyn.
Durovic, a nursing major, said he’s been impressed by the friendly community and engaging professors at St. Joseph’s.
“It’s great,” Durovic said. “The professors really go in-depth with what they are teaching.”
Boursiquot, a biology major planning to play baseball in the spring for SJC Brooklyn, agreed with his friend’s assessment.
“I love it,” Boursiquot said. “I know it’s going to get harder as we get further into the semester, but I’m ready for it. The professors here make you feel really comfortable.”
During investiture, Durovic and Boursiquot had the support of their former St. John’s Prep teacher, Debbie Befumo. She sat in the crowd of parents and loved ones during the ceremony, beaming with gratitude as she watched her students investing in their future at St. Joe’s.
“I’m very proud of them,” Befumo said.
Great parent orientation Now, Investiture Ceremony for #Class2023 https://t.co/aN9V8mGGSO
— Mary Rinaldo-Hansen (@MRinaldoHansen) September 16, 2019
